Page 11

Back in high school, he had been wooed endlessly by modeling agencies and talent scouts, but Grant had refused them all without hesitation.
I’m just a simple guy,Grant had liked to say, and when he and Fawn had started going out, he had changed his excuse, saying,I’d like to, but I’m afraid my girlfriend might not like it. She wants me to look at her and just her.
Of course, he had only said those things to tease her, and it had worked, making her feel embarrassed and thrilled at the same time. It had also made other girls hate her even more, but when she had told him that, Grant had only laughed it off.
Across the restaurant, she saw Grant’s eyes gleam and his face soften upon finding her, and she couldn’t help grinning giddily.
I love you, Grant.
Upon reaching her, he bent down to kiss her cheek. “Miss you, luv.”
“M-miss you, too,” she mumbled shyly.
Taking the seat across her, he chuckled at her flaming face. “I love making you blush.”
Turning even redder, she admitted in a pained voice, “I don’t know if I could ever learn to outgrow it.”
He grinned. “That’s exactly what I want to hear.”
His phone started to ring then, and surprised to see him cancelling the call, she said worriedly, “I’m okay if you take it.” She knew how busy he was, not just with his work with the Student Council but with practice as captain of the university’s polo team.
“It’s okay.” He shut his phone down and placed it on the table. “This isourtime.”
She blushed again. “Grant.”He really was the sweetest guy, she thought dreamily. He always had a hundred things to do each day, but he always made sure to call her every nightandcelebrate every little milestone in her life.
Like now.
“Congratulations.” Although they had managed to meet a few times, it was only today that Grant could celebrate with Fawnfor getting a new job. “I can’t believe you’re working for Reid Chalkias.”
“Me either,” she said feelingly and tried not to let her unease show as she remembered last night’s disastrous incident.
The waiter came to take their orders then, and as what was usual between them, she left it to Grant to do all the talking and decision-making. As Grant gave their orders, Fawn was content to simply gaze at him and marvel at her luck.I am the luckiest girl in the world.He could have anyone in the world, but he had chosenher.
She watched him close the menu and hand it back to the waiter, the muscles on his arms flexing as he did. It suddenly reminded her of the prince and that girl—-
Would it be different now, she wondered. Could it feel better now that she was older and she had seen how good it could feel?
“You’re staring at me again, luv.”
Oh! She cringed, realizing he was right and she hadn’t even noticed the waiter leaving. “Sorry,” she stammered. “I was just—-”
“Admiring the view?”
Eager to seize any excuse, she said right away, “Absolutely.” Then she realized what she had admitted. “I mean, no.” When Grant looked hurt, she said quickly, “I mean, yes.” But then Fawn realized what that meant, and she half-wailed, “Stop confusing me!”
Chuckling, Grant reached for her across the table and, unmindful of the stares coming from other patrons, held Fawn’s face as he placed a sweet, lingering kiss on her lips.
Her toes curled and her breath hitched in her throat.
This was it.
She would feel the same thing.
And this time, if he wanted to make love to her, she wouldn’t refuse.
Fawn was about to kiss him back—-
But it was already over.